Michigan has shrunk its prison population by more than 7,000 inmates since 2006. Nevertheless, the state’s prison system continues to consume more than 20 percent of the state’s general fund budget. Now, some legislators are considering whether shipping some of the state’s 43,000 inmates to a private prison would, finally, make a dent in Michigan’s […]
Michigan Government
Citizens cannot do their job of running their government if they don’t know what their public servants are doing.
Posted inMichigan Government
Lock 'em up and send taxpayers the bill
When Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette prescribed longer prison terms to cure the state’s crime rate recently, he was reaching back for an old belief based on the assumption that longer sentences mean safer streets. His critics and independent researchers suggest his plan would do little to reduce crime — but would drive up the […]
Posted inMichigan Government
On Medicaid, nursing homes — and your home
There may not be a government program as misunderstood as Medicaid. The program’s name has become synonymous with government spending and with a certain connotation on “welfare” — good money going to people making bad decisions. The facts about Medicaid are far different. In large measure, Medicaid is actually a middle-class entitlement program. So why […]
Posted inMichigan Government
Somewhere, Alaska
John Boehner of Ohio. Mike Castle of Delaware. Jeff Flake and John Shadegg, Arizona. Butch Otter, Idaho. Ron Paul, Texas. Jim Sensenbrenner, Wisconsin. Mac Thornberry, Texas. And C.W. “Bill” Young, Florida. This slender cohort of current and former U.S. representatives, along with nine others who did not vote, can rest easy this campaign season, knowing […]
Posted inMichigan Government
Urban chief outlines new normal for cities
Harvey Hollins III is the director of the Michigan Office of Urban and Metropolitan Initiatives and is a principal adviser to Gov. Rick Snyder on urban economic development. He is a loaned executive through the Council of Michigan Foundations, and his salary is supported by individual foundations through the council. Bridge spoke with Hollins in […]
Posted inMichigan Government
Truth Squad tackles presidential primary ads
Leading up to what could prove a pivotal Michigan Republican presidential primary, the Michigan Truth Squad, another project of the Center for Michigan, is hard at work assessing the claims in various campaign ads and materials from the leading candidates and their political allies. See what fouls have been called on the bids by Mitt […]
Posted inMichigan Government
Smart, not tough: Reconsidering juvenile justice
As he looked around at the mix of politicians and social activists about to announce their support for reducing the number of people in Ohio’s prisons, Mike Brickner was struck by a revelation. He and other officials of the American Civil Liberties Union Ohio chapter had found common ground with politicians spanning the entire political […]
Posted inMichigan Government
With a sober eye, a conservative reconsiders
Craig DeRoche concedes there were times during his six years in the Michigan Legislature, including his years as speaker of the House, that he wanted to speak out against the conventional wisdom that sending more people to prison was the proper response to crime. But he was worried it might prompt questions of why he, […]
Posted inMichigan Government
Ancient Chinese secret: No bad publicity
Even the star of Pete Hoekstra’s “Debbie Spend-it-now” campaign now says it was a bad idea, and has apologized, via her Facebook page: “I am deeply sorry for any pain that the character I portrayed brought to my communities,” Chan wrote. “As a recent college grad who has spent time working to improve communities and […]
Posted inMichigan Government
Biz leaders make prison-higher ed connection
Business Leaders for Michigan, a group formerly known as Detroit Renaissance, is a major player in how state policy is shaped in Lansing these days. So when it takes a stance, it’s advisable to pay attention. And BLM on Wednesday made an important statement about prison costs — in its bid to reinvent the state’s […]
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